Elements 7 - beginners guide

[DorsetDude]

Hi

Installed elements 7 last night. Intending to use it eventually to do Digital ND grad filters on landscape shots.

Would be really grateful for any links to beginners guides web articles or threads already on TP pn it though. What the 'organisers' is for, do I need to use it etc, plus general editing to improve images.

Straight out of the box it seems to open CR2 images from my 450d ok so thats a good start.

Would be particularly interested in knowing if the techniques here: http://www.ronbigelow.com/articles/neutral-density/neutral-density.htm

can be done in Elements 7?

Thanks all.

 

[Broto]

The Ron Bigelow tutorial can't be done in Elements because you can't add a layer mask to a regular image layer (see fig 7). You need the regular Photoshop CSx to do this.

This book on Elements 7 is great, a must to have for Elements users:
http://www.amazon.ca/Photoshop-Elements-Book-Digital-Photographers/dp/0321565959

 

[OlyPaul]

The Ron Bigelow tutorial can't be done in Elements because you can't add a layer mask to a regular image layer (see fig 7). You need the regular Photoshop CSx to do this.

No you do not need CSx, just download the layer mask add on from here and install it.

http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/pselements/qt/layermasktool.htm

Works the same as in CSx except you access it here.

And even if you do not install the layer mask tool you can still do the same thing using a clipping layer to borrow the mask from one of the adjustment layers to achieve the same thing (albeit a little more awkward)

 

[Broto]

Thanks for this link OlyPaul, I didn't know about this layer Plugin.

 

[billybob99]

There are quite a few handy add ons for elements I find the curves very useful

 

[DorsetDude]

Thanks all.

Added the Kelby book to my Amazon wish list.